New Host Records for Haemoproteus Spp. (Apicomplexa: Haemosporidiasina) in Passeriformes from North-West of Iran

Background: The intracellular protozoan parasites of the genus Haemoproteus occur in different avian hosts all over the world. Various genus of blood sucking insects’ families such as Hippoboscidae and Ceratopogonidae could transmit Haemoproteus in avian hosts. There are very limited number of studies on wild infected birds with blood parasites in Iran, so the aim of this study was to determine the frequency of Haemoproteus spp. infection in passerine birds from northwest of Iran. Methods: Passerines were collected from four different localities in Zanjan Province, northwest Iran during June to August 2014. Results: Of 86 passerines, we found Haemoproteus infection in 19 (22.09%) individuals. In general, 15 bird species were observed for haemosporidians, of which 53% were infected. Conclusion: Three species of passerines: Petronia petronia, Sitta tephronota and Acrocephalus melanopogon are new host records for Haemoproteus infection in the world. Results acquired by this study support widespread distribution of Haemoproteus in passerines and illustrated the prevalence of Haemoproteus species in wild birds of northwest of Iran. Conclusively, our study specified that more investigations are needed to reach exact prevalence rate in different families of birds in Iran.


Introduction
The intracellular protozoan parasites of the genus Haemoproteus occurs in different avian hosts all over the world (Bennett et al. 1992, Valkiunas 2005. This genus was originally described by Kruse 1890 as Haemoproteus columbae based on gametocytes in Columba livia. Haemosporidians as imposing parasites that infect bird's blood cells in which asexual reproduction stages arise within erythrocytes and sexual cycle occurs in dipteran vectors (Hellgren et al. 2008, Ishtiaq et al. 2008. Various genus of blood sucking insects' families such as Hippoboscidae and Ceratopogonidae could transmit Haemoproteus in avian hosts (Atkinson and van Riper 1991, Ishtiaq et al. 2008, Martinsen et al. 2008. Traditionally, the prevalence of blood parasites is calculated as the amount of infected samples by microscopic detection of blood smears (Peirce 1981). This factor could illustrate transmission degree of the parasites with mosquito's vectors, richness and also host specificity (van Riper et al. 1986, Hamilton andZuk 1982). Avian hosts stay diseased if they once become infected by haemosporidian parasites for long time (Valkiūnas 2005).
The Passeriformes with more than 5300 extant species including the largest and most frequently known clades of birds occupied all landmasses except Antarctica (Johanson et al. 2008b). According to recent avian checklist, 235 passerine birds have been recorded from Iran (Dickinson and Christidis 2014).
Parasites have major effects on physiology, ecology, health, population dynamics, sexual selection and fertilization of birds which in some cases lead to host elimination (Hamilton and Zuk 1982, Garvin et al. 2003, Marzal et al. 2005, Donovan et al. 2008, due to very limited number of studies on wild infected hosts with blood parasites in Iran, we have attempted to determine the frequency of Haemoproteus species in passerines from northwest of Iran. Besides, new host records were reported for Haemoproteus.

Materials and Methods
Passerine birds were collected from four different localities in Zanjan Province, northwest Iran during June to August 2014. Avian hosts were identified morphologically using field guides (Porter and Aspinall 2010). Blood samples were obtained via brachial vein puncture of the birds with insulin needles. Three thin smears for each specimens were made, immediately air dried, fixed in absolute meth-anol and finally stained with Giemsa stain pH 7.2 for 45min protozoan detection was done under light microscope for 10-15min at low magnification and then at high magnification (X1000) with immersion oil. Parasites were identified according to the procedures suggested by Valkiunas (2005).

Results
A total of 86 birds' belong to nine families were studied. All hosts belong to the order Passeriformes comprising nine families: Turdidae, Paridae, Passeridae, Sittidae, Emberizidae, Fringillidae, Acrocephalidae, Laniidae and Muscicapidae. The highest numbers of captured hosts belong to Fringilidae (Table 1).
Migratory birds including Passeriformes and birds of prey are the potential reservoir of various infections which may influence animals and/or man. Birds are able to harbor various pathogens such as chlamydophilosis and salmonellosis agents, poxvirus, Plasmodium, feather mite and lice, avian-origin influenza A(H7N9), crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever virus and Lyme disease (Karesh et al. 2007, Vanrompay et al. 2007, Carlson et al. 2011, Lindeborg et al. 2012, Jones et al. 2014). Duo to the importance of transmission of diseases between wildlife and man on public health and economic issues, more studies may shed light on birds and parasites relationship.

Conclusion
Results support widespread distribution of Haemoproteus in Passeriformes and illustrated the prevalence of Haemoproteus spp. in wild birds of northwest of Iran. Conclusively, our study specified that more studies are needed to reach exact prevalence rate in different families of birds in Iran.